Economic impacts of climate change in Europe: sea-level rise

This paper uses two models to examine the direct and indirect costs of sea-level rise for Europe for a range of sea-level rise scenarios for the 2020s and 2080s: (1) the DIVA model to estimate the physical impacts of sea-level rise and the direct economic cost, including adaptation, and (2) the GTAP-EF model to assess the indirect economic implications. Without adaptation, impacts are quite significant with a large land loss and increase in the incidence of coastal flooding. By the end of the century Malta has the largest relative land loss at 12% of its total surface area, followed by Greece at 3.5% land loss. Economic losses are however larger in Poland and Germany (483 and483 and 391 million, respectively). Coastal protection is very effective in reducing these impacts and optimally undertaken leads to protection levels that are higher than 85% in the majority of European states. While the direct economic impact of sea-level rise is always negative, the final impact on countries’ economic performances estimated with the GTAP-EF model may be positive or negative. This is because factor substitution, international trade, and changes in investment patterns interact with possible positive implications. The policy insights are (1) while sea-level rise has negative and huge direct economic effects, overall effects on GDP are quite small (max −0.046% in Poland); (2) the impact of sea-level rise is not confined to the coastal zone and sea-level rise indirectly affects landlocked countries as well (Austria for instance loses −0.003% of its GDP); and (3) adaptation is crucial to keep the negative impacts of sea-level rise at an acceptable level.     

Integrating knowledge to assess coastal vulnerability to sea-level rise: The development of the DIVA tool

This paper describes the development of the DIVA tool, a user-friendly tool for assessing coastal vulnerability from subnational to global levels. The development involved the two major challenges of integrating knowledge in the form of data, scenarios and models from various natural, social and engineering science disciplines and making this integrated knowledge accessible to a broad community of end-users. These challenges were addressed by (i) creating and applying the DIVA method, an iterative, modular method for developing integrating models amongst distributed partners and (ii) making the data, scenarios and integrated model, equipped with a powerful graphical user interface, directly and freely available to end-users.     

The economic impact of extreme sea-level rise: Ice sheet vulnerability and the social cost of carbon dioxide

The possibility of extreme sea-level rise is one of the commonly cited reasons for concern about climate change. Major increases in sea level would likely be driven by the melting or collapse of major ice sheets. This possibility has implications for the social cost of carbon dioxide, which is a key policy value as well as a useful summary measure of damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions.This paper extends earlier work on the importance of low-probability, high-impact events for the social cost of carbon dioxide to incorporate the possibility of extreme sea-level rise.To estimate its impact, an integrated assessment model is used, which allows a probabilistic assessment of climate change damages based on the linkages between the economic and climate systems. In the model, the generic discontinuity damage is replaced with the possibility of large-scale damage from factors that are taken to be correlated with temperature rise and, crucially for this paper, explicit consideration of extreme sea-level rise.Estimates of the amount of increase in the social cost of carbon dioxide that can be expected from incorporating extreme sea-level rise show that the increase is significant, though not especially large in percentage terms.The paper contributes to the literature of how to represent uncertain climate impacts in integrated assessment models and the associated estimation of the social cost of carbon dioxide.     

中国极端降水事件的区域性和持续性研究

利用内蒙古地区117站1991-2013年夏季（6-8月）逐时降水量资料,采用Gumbel极值方法确定内蒙古逐时极端降水阈值,研究内蒙古夏季逐时极端降水持续性和演变特征。结果表明：（1）内蒙古地区逐时极端降水阈值自西（5~10 mm）向东（40~55 mm）递增,但极端降水过程相对强度自西向东逐渐递减。内蒙古西部偏南地区、阴山山脉以南和大兴安岭东部极端降水过程持续时间较长,在7 h以上,其余地区极端降水过程持续时间较短,在6 h以内。（2）持续时间在1~3 h的极端降水过程发生次数最高,极端降水过程持续时间越短,降水量峰值出现前降水强度越大。极端降水持续时间4~6 h降水量偏离程度最大,1~3 h和7~12 h次之。（3）近23 a极端降水过程集中出现在7月下旬,峰值出现时刻由17：00滞后到20：00。1991-2010年极端降水过程偏少,可能是因为4~6 h和7~12 h极端降水过程次数偏少;进入2011-2013年,极端降水过程增加明显,主要与持续时间1~3 h、4~6 h和7~12 h极端降水过程同时增多有关。

     

河套地区大雨以上降水日数的气候变化特征分析

基于河南省111个气象站1971—2010年的逐日降水数据,分析了河南省夏季不同强度降水事件的时空演特征。结果表明：近40 a来,河南省夏季降雨量整体呈上升趋势,各等级降水事件对夏季降雨量贡献率依次是：小雨、中雨、大雨及暴雨,其中小雨和中雨对夏季降雨量的贡献呈下降趋势,而大雨和暴雨对夏季降雨量的贡献呈上升趋势;大部分区域在降雨量增加同时,降雨日数却在减少,即降雨呈现出极端化发展的趋势。借助小波分析表明,降雨量、降雨日数和降雨强度均表现出2~3 a左右的低频振荡周期,且降雨量和降雨日数的周期具有较好的一致性。为探究降水变化成因,本文对河南省夏季旱涝年大气环流场进行了合成分析,分析表明：偏旱年其500 hPa高空的100°E）以东大部分区域为位势高度正距平区,不利于东部的冷空气南下,850 hPa低空盛行偏北风且多下沉运动,水汽较难输送到河南省上空;而偏涝年高空110°E以东为位势高度负距平区,短波槽活动频繁,110°E以西为高压脊区,其低空多偏南风,有利于孟加拉湾的暖湿气流北上,配合较强的垂直上升运动,旺盛的对流和充足的水汽均利于降水过程的发生。

     

Investigation of meteorological extreme events over coastal regions of Iran

In this study, in order to detect probable trends and effects of climatic extreme events of precipitation and temperature as well as maximum relative humidity, dew point temperature, sunshine hours, and wind speed, 12 stations on the northern and southern coastlines of Iran were investigated from 1977 to 2007. For this purpose, 27 indices of precipitation and temperature, which are specified by the Expert Team of the World Meteorological Organization and Climate Variability and Predictability, were calculated by using RClimDex software. The Mann?CKendall method was also used to detect possible trends in the data time series. The results indicate that temperature indices are absolutely consistent with warming. Warm nights, hot days, and hot day and night frequencies increased, while cold spell and cool day and night frequencies declined. The minimum temperature experienced a considerable rise both in its maximum and minimum values. The minimum temperature had a higher increase than the maximum temperature. Therefore, diurnal temperature ranges have experienced dramatic declines. In the northern coastal sites, hot day frequency and hottest day temperature showed higher magnitudes than those of the southern sites as a result of the significant increase in the maximum sunshine hours in northern stations. This enhancement led to a considerable increase in the maximum wind speed. Consequently, relative humidity declined in the northern sites. Precipitation indices indicate few significant trends over the studied period. Temporal precipitation distribution was different from station to station. Three precipitation patterns were detected at individual stations, although an overall regional rainfall pattern was not detectable. On the whole, the results of this study emphasize that the water resources in the studied area are going to become problematic.     

The economic value of delaying adaptation to sea-level rise: An application to coastal properties in Connecticut

The magnitude and frequency of coastal storms are expected to increase with rising global sea levels, which necessitates evaluating coastal flood adaptation measures. This study examines an important issue in the context of coastal flood protection, namely, the decision when to adopt protection measures. For any given coastal region, our benefit-cost framework allows us to determine the optimal timing of initiating protection that maximizes expected net benefits. We present an application of this framework to a coastal area in Connecticut. Our results suggest that the optimal timing of adopting protection may vary across different census blocks within the study area. We find that using a relatively low discount rate in the benefit-cost analysis implies greater heterogeneity in the timing decisions and earlier overall adoption, whereas, with higher discount rates, the timing decisions are reduced to a choice between early protection and no protection at all. If possible negative environmental and aesthetic impacts of sea barriers are taken into account, delaying protection would become more desirable, with the extent of delay being sensitive to the relative magnitude of one-time costs (e.g., loss of ocean view and recreational opportunities) vs. continuous costs (e.g., shoreline erosion and loss of wetlands).     

An assessment of the physical impacts of sea-level rise and coastal adaptation: a case study of the eastern coast of Ghana

Sea-level rise is a major coastal issue in the 21st century because many of the world??s built assets are located in the coastal zone. Coastal erosion and flooding are serious threats along the coast of Ghana, particularly, the eastern coast where the Volta delta is located. Past human interventions, climate change and the resultant rise in sea-levels, increased storm intensity and torrential rainfall have been blamed for these problems. Accelerated sea-level rise and storm surge pose serious threat to coastal habitat, bio-diversity and socio-economic activities in the coastal zone of Ghana and elsewhere. There is the need for an holistic assessment of the impacts of sea-level rise on the coast zone in order to formulate appropriate adaptation policies and strategies to mitigate the possible effects. Using the eastern coast of Ghana as a case study, this paper assesses the physical impacts of accelerated sea level rise and storm surge on the coastal environment. It evaluates adaptation policies and plans that could be implemented to accommodate the present and any future impacts. Field investigation and Geographic Information System (GIS) are among the methods used for the assessment. The outcome of the assessment has provided comprehensive knowledge of the potential impacts of accelerated sea-level rise and storm surge on the eastern coast. It has facilitated identification of management units, the appraisal of alternate adaptation policies and the selection of the best policy options based upon the local conditions and environmental sustainability. Among other things, this paper reveals that the eastern coast of Ghana is highly vulnerable to accelerated sea-level rise and therefore, requires sustainable adaptation policies and plans to manage the potential impacts. It recommends that various accommodation policies, which enable areas to be occupied for longer before eventual retreat, could be adapted to accommodate vulnerable settlements in the eastern coast of Ghana.     

Toward a physically plausible upper bound of sea-level rise projections

Anthropogenic sea-level rise (SLR) causes considerable risks. Designing a sound SLR risk-management strategy requires careful consideration of decision-relevant uncertainties such as the reasonable upper bound of future SLR. The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Fourth Assessment reported a likely upper SLR bound in the year 2100 near 0.6 m (meter). More recent studies considering semi-empirical modeling approaches and kinematic constraints on glacial melting suggest a reasonable 2100 SLR upper bound of approximately 2 m. These recent studies have broken important new ground, but they largely neglect uncertainties surrounding thermal expansion (thermosteric SLR) and/or observational constraints on ocean heat uptake. Here we quantify the effects of key parametric uncertainties and observational constraints on thermosteric SLR projections using an Earth system model with a dynamic three-dimensional ocean, which provides a mechanistic representation of deep ocean processes and heat uptake. Considering these effects nearly doubles the contribution of thermosteric SLR compared to previous estimates and increases the reasonable upper bound of 2100 SLR projections by 0.25 m. As an illustrative example of the effect of overconfidence, we show how neglecting thermosteric uncertainty in projections of the SLR upper bound can considerably bias risk analysis and hence the design of adaptation strategies. For conditions close to the Port of Los Angeles, the 0.25 m increase in the reasonable upper bound can result in a flooding-risk increase by roughly three orders of magnitude. Results provide evidence that relatively minor underestimation of the upper bound of projected SLR can lead to major downward biases of future flooding risks.     

Spatial variations of sea-level rise and impacts: An application of DIVA

Due to complexities of creating sea-level rise scenarios, impacts of climate-induced sea-level rise are often produced from a limited number of models assuming a global uniform rise in sea level. A greater number of models, including those with a pattern reflecting regional variations would help to assure reliability and a range of projections, indicating where models agree and disagree. This paper determines how nine new patterned-scaled sea-level rise scenarios (plus the uniform and patterned ensemble mean rises) influence global and regional coastal impacts (wetland loss, dry land loss due to erosion and the expected number of people flooded per year by extreme sea levels). The DIVA coastal impacts model was used under an A1B scenario, and assumed defences were not upgraded as conditions evolved. For seven out of nine climate models, impacts occurred at a proportional rate to global sea-level rise. For the remaining two models, higher than average rise in sea level was projected in northern latitudes or around populated coasts thus skewing global impact projections compared with the ensemble global mean. Regional variability in impacts were compared using the ensemble mean uniform and patterned scenarios: The largest relative difference in impacts occurred around the Mediterranean coast, and the largest absolute differences around low-lying populated coasts, such as south, south-east and east Asia. Uniform projections of sea-level rise impacts remain a useful method to determine global impacts, but improved regional scale models of sea-level rise, particularly around semi-enclosed seas and densely populated low-lying coasts will provide improved regional impact projections and a characterisation of their uncertainties.     

Assessing the vulnerability of wind energy to climate change and extreme events

This article presents a review of the status and basis of wind-generated electricity production, the state of knowledge regarding possible changes in the spatio-temporal characteristics of the wind resource and wind turbine operating conditions, the principal extreme events that are of relevance to the wind energy industry, and the major potential vulnerabilities of the wind energy industry to climate change, with a specific focus on extreme events. Generally, the magnitude of projected changes over Europe and the contiguous USA are within the ‘conservative’ estimates embedded within the Wind Turbine Design Standards. However, more research is needed to quantify (i) how global climate evolution may influence the operation of wind turbines outside these regions, (ii) events causing coincident extreme wind speeds, gusts, and vertical wind shear, and (iii) combined wind-wave loading on offshore turbines.     

Exposure of developing countries to sea-level rise and storm surges

An increase in sea surface temperature is strongly evident at all latitudes and in all oceans. The scientific evidence to date suggests that increased sea surface temperature will intensify cyclone activity and heighten storm surges. The paper assesses the exposure of (coastal) developing countries to sea-level rise and the intensification of storm surges. Geographic Information System (GIS) software is used to overlay the best available, spatially-disaggregated global data on critical exposed elements (land, population, GDP, agricultural extent and wetlands) with the inundation zones projected with heightened storm surges and a 1 m sea-level rise. Country-level results indicate a significant increase in exposure of developing countries to these climate-induced changes.     

Contribution of glacier melt to sea-level rise since AD 1865: a regionally differentiated calculation

 The contribution of glacier melt, including the Greenland ice-sheet, to sea-level change since AD 1865 is estimated on the basis of modelled sensitivity of glacier mass balance to climate change and historical temperature data. Calculations are done in a regionally differentiated manner to overcome the inhomogeneity of the global distribution of glaciers. A distinction is made between changes in summer temperature and in temperature over the rest of the year. Our best estimate of the ice melt in the period 1865–1990 in terms of sea-level change equivalent is 5.7 cm (2.7 cm for glaciers and 3.0 cm for the Greenland ice-sheet). Additional calculations show that simpler methods, like using annual or even global mean temperature anomaly give estimates that differ by up to 55%. Consequently, a regionally differentiating approach is advised for making projections of glacier melt with GCM output. Received: 6 December 1996/Accepted: 30 May 1997     

Large-scale and spatio-temporal extreme rain events over India: a hydrometeorological study

Frequency, intensity, areal extent (AE) and duration of rain spells during summer monsoon exhibit large intra-seasonal and inter-annual variations. Important features of the monsoon period large-scale wet spells over India have been documented. A main monsoon wet spell (MMWS) occurs over the country from 18 June to 16 September, during which, 26.5 % of the area receives rainfall 26.3 mm/day. Detailed characteristics of the MMWS period large-scale extreme rain events (EREs) and spatio-temporal EREs (ST-EREs), each concerning rainfall intensity (RI), AE and rainwater (RW), for 1 to 25 days have been studied using 1° gridded daily rainfall (1951–2007). In EREs, ‘same area’ (grids) is continuously wet, whereas in ST-EREs, ‘any area’ on the mean under wet condition for specified durations is considered. For the different extremes, second-degree polynomial gave excellent fit to increase in values from distribution of annual maximum RI and RW series with increase in duration. Fluctuations of RI, AE, RW and date of occurrence (or start) of the EREs and the ST-EREs did not show any significant trend. However, fluctuations of 1° latitude–longitude grid annual and spatial maximum rainfall showed highly significant increasing trend for 1 to 5 days, and unprecedented rains on 26–27 July 2005 over Mumbai could be a realization of this trend. The Asia–India monsoon intensity significantly influences the MMWS RW.